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MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio maintained that her regional party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), supports the ruling PDP-Laban and has no wish to take away its members.

"We respect the PDP-Laban party. We do not meddle in their faction problem. We support them supporting the administration of PRD (President Rodrigo Duterte)," she told Rappler on Friday, August 10.

"If there is anything that HNP can do to help PDP-Laban, our group is ready to assist them. HNP is offering a hand of friendship to all other political parties who support the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte," HNP said in a statement.

The President's daughter also reiterated that her party is "not recruiting their (PDP-Laban's) members as HNP members are from Davao Region."

While HNP maintains it is a regional party, it hasendorsed some senatorial candidates, such as reelectionist Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go.

"It is not odd that a local political party carry a senatorial line-up. It has been a practice for every election in all areas of our country," she told Rappler.

As to Roque taking his oath as HNP member even if he is not from Davao region, she said, "Secretary Roque took his oath because he wanted to and he was just being nice and courteous since he was onstage during the mass oathtaking. Kindness is a Harry Roque virtue."

HNP, in a statement, advised its "supporters outside of Davao Region" "to form their own local parties or join other national parties — the NUP, NP, NPC, or PDP-Laban."

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).